Receiver/grip assembly for a paintball marker

ABSTRACT

A receiver/grip assembly for a paintball marker includes a first casting formed to include at least a portion of a grip and a portion of a receiver, and a second casting formed to include at least a portion of the grip. The castings are formed to receive, alternatively, a mechanical trigger assembly or an electronic trigger assembly. In one embodiment, the grip and receiver are substantially bisected by the parting line when the first and second castings are joined.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to paintball markers, and more specifically to receiver/grip assemblies for paintball markers. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a cast receiver/grip assembly for alternatively receiving various trigger assemblies.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Paintball markers are assembled in various ways. For example, some paintball markers are assembled by bolting a receiver and a grip to one another. Paintball markers are also assembled through castings that form various portions of the paintball marker that are subsequently coupled to one another. Further, these castings have been formed to receive various components of a paintball marker, such as the components necessary for triggering the firing of a paintball.

The invention allows a paintball marker, which includes die cast components, to readily and alternatively receive various trigger assemblies, such as mechanical or electronic assemblies. This allows a single die set to be used in manufacturing paintball marker castings. The decision to install a specific trigger assembly can thus be made at a time subsequent to the casting of the paintball marker. Subsequent modification of the marker to accept an alternative assembly is also facilitated.

In one illustrative embodiment, a paintball marker includes a plurality of castings. A first casting includes a portion of the paintball marker receiver and a portion of the paintball marker grip. This illustrative embodiment also has a second casting which includes another portion of the receiver and of the grip. The first and second castings are coupled to one another to form the paintball grip and receiver. It is to be appreciated that the plurality of castings can include various portions of the grip and receiver, such as the first casting including the entire receiver and a portion of the grip, while the second casting includes only a grip portion, for example. In another illustrative embodiment, the plurality of castings are formed of metals, such as aluminum, zinc, or magnesium, for example. In another illustrative embodiment, the castings are nickel-plated. In yet another illustrative embodiment, the castings are formed of non-metallic material, such as a polymer resin, for example.

In certain embodiments, the castings are formed to receive various trigger assemblies, such as mechanical or electronic assemblies. The castings are specifically formed to receive these trigger assemblies alternatively, so that the mechanical triggering assembly can be installed after the castings have been created, or alternatively, the electronic trigger assembly can be installed. Also, the castings may be retrofitted so that a paintball marker including an electronic trigger assembly can be converted to include a mechanical assembly, or vice versa.

In another illustrative embodiment, an electronic trigger assembly includes a battery, electronic circuitry, a linear actuator, and a capacitor. An illustrative mechanical trigger assembly includes a projection which acts on a sear to cause the firing of a paintball. The mechanical trigger assembly can also include a trigger assist apparatus, which biases the trigger forward after the trigger is pulled for firing, thereby allowing a faster rate of paintball firing in a semi-automatic paintball marker. In another illustrative embodiment, the trigger assemblies, mechanical or electronic, are enclosed within the castings when the first and second castings are coupled to one another. In this and other embodiments, the first and second castings are configured to accept a plurality of fasteners to secure the first and second castings to one another.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described hereafter with reference to the attached drawings which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an illustrative embodiment of a paintball marker.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of paintball marker castings.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of a paintball marker casting shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of another paintball marker casting shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an illustrative embodiment of another paintball marker casting.

FIG. 6 is another side view of the illustrative embodiment of the paintball marker shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is another side view of the illustrative embodiment of the paintball marker down in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is another side view of the illustrative embodiment of the paintball marker shown in FIG. 3.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates embodiments of the receiver/grip assembly, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the receiver/grip assembly in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an illustrative embodiment of a typical paintball marker, represented by paintball marker 10. Paintball marker 10 includes receiver 12 and grip 14. Paintball marker 10 also includes barrel 15 which his secured to receiver 12 as illustratively shown in FIG. 1. Hopper 16 is also secured to receiver 12. Compressed gas supply 18 is secured to grip 14. FIG. 1 also shows paintball marker 10 to include threaded fasteners 17. In this illustrative embodiment, threaded fasteners 17 fasten castings together, such as those shown in FIGS. 2 through 8, to form outer body 19 of paintball marker 10.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing internal features an illustrative embodiment of castings 20, 22. Casting 20 includes receiver portion 24 and grip portion 28. Casting 22 includes receiver portion 26 and grip portion 30. Castings 20, 22 are formed to be coupled to one another in order to form an outer body of a paintball marker.

FIG. 3 shows another side view of an illustrative embodiment of casting 20. FIG. 3 shows receiver portion 24 to include pins 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 disposed therein. Receiver portion 24 has projections 32, 44 formed thereon. Grip portion 28 has recess 46, surface 48, and groove 50 all formed therein. Grip portion 28 includes knock-out 52. Grip portion 28 also has grooves 54, 56, 60, 62, 68 and recess 58 formed therein. Grip portion 28 has pegs 64, 66 formed thereon.

FIG. 4 shows another side view of the illustrative embodiment of casting 22. Receiver portion 26 is shown to illustratively include recesses 74, 76, 78, 79, 80, formed therein, which receive pins 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, respectively, when castings 20, 22 are coupled to one another. Receiver portion 26 also has projections 72, 82 formed thereon, which align with projections 32, 44, respectively, when castings 20, 22 are coupled to one another. Grip portion 30 is illustratively shown to have recess 84 and area 86 formed therein. Area 86 can be removed, if needed, as shown in FIG. 5, in order to allow access to a battery such as battery 116, as shown in FIG. 6. Grip portion 30 also has grooves 88, 92, 94, 98, 100, 102, knock-out 90, and recess 96 formed therein.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing an illustrative embodiment of casting 20, including several components located thereon. Typically, several components shown in FIG. 6 will be implemented in this illustrative embodiment regardless of the type of trigger assembly used. For example, trigger 106 and trigger guard 104 will typically be implemented. Trigger 106 is positioned on casting 20 through pins 34, 36, which are disposed therethrough. Spring 100 is located on projection 32 and actuates trigger 106 back to the position shown in FIG. 6, after trigger 106 has been pulled to fire a paintball. Safety apparatus 108 is also typically implemented. Sear 112 is typically used with various triggering assemblies. As illustratively shown in FIG. 6, sear 112 is positioned on casting 20 through pin 42. Pins 38, 40 are positioned about sear 112 to limit the motion of sear 112 about pin 42. Spring 114 is positioned between projection 44 and sear 112 and provides a force on sear 112. Typically, bolt 105, spring 107, and rod 109 will be included in this illustrative embodiment, as well as seal 111 and end cap 113. Seal 111 and end cap 113 seal off the interior of a paintball marker from the atmosphere.

In this illustrative embodiment, grip portion 28 has electronic trigger assembly 115 located thereon. Trigger assembly 115 illustratively includes: battery 116, capacitor 118, linear actuator 120, rod 122, electronic circuitry 124, and switch 128. Linear actuator 120 is illustratively shown in FIG. 6 to be a solenoid. Circuitry 124 is located on circuit board 126. Grip portion 28 is formed, as shown in FIG. 4, to receive these components. Surface 48 is substantially flat and supports battery 116 on grip portion 28. Groove 50 is formed to receive capacitor 118 and knock-out 52 receives linear actuator 120. Grooves 54, 56, and 68 are formed to receive rod 122. Switch 128 is positioned on grip portion 28 through pegs 64, 66, which are disposed through openings 127, 129, respectively, of switch 128. Recess 58 receives circuit board 126 and circuitry 124.

Grip portion 30 of casting 22 is similarly formed to receive the components shown in FIG. 6. Capacitor 128 fits within groove 88 and linear actuator 120 fits within knock-out 90. Knock-outs 52, 90 are dimensioned to keep linear actuator 120 retained when grip portions 28, 30 are brought together, however knock-outs 52, 90 allow enough of linear actuator 120 to be disposed through each, which allows castings 20, 22 to come into contact with one another. Grooves 92, 94, 102 receive rod 122 and line up with grooves 54, 56, and 68, respectively. Recess 96 is formed to receive circuitry 124 and circuit board 126.

Grip portions 28, 30 are not only formed to receive all of the components of electronic trigger assembly 115, but also a trigger assembly using mechanical components. Many of the components typically used in both electronic and mechanical trigger assemblies such as sear 112 and springs 110, 114 are shown in FIG. 7. Projection 130 is shown fastened to trigger 106. Instead of rod 122 actuating sear 112 as in electronic triggering assembly 115, sear 112 is actuated by projection 131 when trigger 106 is pulled. Grip portions 28, 30 are also formed to receive trigger assist apparatus 132, as shown in FIG. 8. Trigger assist apparatus 132 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,468 to Tippmann, Jr., which patent is expressly incorporated into this disclosure by reference thereto. As shown in FIG. 8, grooves 60, 62 of grip portion 28 receive trigger assist apparatus 132. Grip portion 28 is also formed to receive hose 134 and port 136. Port 136 couples pneumatically-powered trigger assist apparatus 132 to a supply of compressed gas (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, grooves 98, 100 of grip portion 30 are formed to receive trigger assist apparatus 132, hose 134, and port 136.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, from the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present invention. Various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A receiver/grip assembly for a paintball marker comprising: (a) a first casting formed to include at least a first portion of a grip and at least a first portion of a receiver; and (b) a second casting formed to include at least a second portion of the grip; (c) wherein, said castings are formed to receive a mechanical trigger assembly; and (d) wherein, said castings are formed to alternatively receive an electronic trigger assembly.
 2. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 1, wherein said second casting is formed to include at least a second portion of said receiver.
 3. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 2, wherein said grip is substantially bisected to form said grip portions respectively included in said first and second castings.
 4. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 3, wherein said receiver is substantially bisected to form said receiver portions respectively included in said first and second castings.
 5. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 1, wherein said first and second castings are configured to accept fasteners which secure said castings to one another.
 6. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said mechanical trigger assembly is enclosed within said castings when said first and second castings are secured to one another.
 7. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said electronic trigger assembly is enclosed within said castings when said first and second castings are secured to one another.
 8. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 2, wherein said electronic trigger assembly comprises: (a) a battery; (b) electronic circuitry; (c) an actuator; and (d) a switch.
 9. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a surface, said surface being substantially flat to support said batter.
 10. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 9, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a removable portion, wherein said battery is accessible from the exterior of said casting when said removable portion is removed.
 11. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said electronic circuitry.
 12. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a plurality of pegs; (a) wherein, said switch comprises a plurality of openings disposed therethrough; and (b) wherein, each opening is formed to receive one of said pegs.
 13. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a knock-out formed to receive at least a portion of said actuator.
 14. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 8, wherein said electronic trigger assembly further comprises a capacitor.
 15. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 14, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said capacitor.
 16. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 1, wherein said mechanical trigger assembly comprises a trigger assist apparatus.
 17. The receiver/grip assembly of claim 16, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a groove formed to receive said trigger assist apparatus.
 18. The receiver/grip of claim 17, wherein said trigger assist apparatus is pneumatically powered.
 19. A paintball marker comprising: (a) a hopper for holding a supply of paintballs; (b) a barrel through which paintballs may be sequentially discharged; (c) a supply of compressed gas; and (d) a receiver/grip assembly which comprises: (e) a first casting formed to include at least a first portion of a grip and at least a first portion of a receiver; and (f) a second casting formed to include at least a second portion of said grip; (g) wherein, said castings are formed to receive a mechanical trigger assembly; and (h) wherein, said castings are formed to alternatively receive an electronic trigger assembly.
 20. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said second casting is formed to include at least a second portion of said receiver.
 21. The paintball marker of claim 20, wherein said grip is substantially bisected to form said grip portions respectively included in said first and second castings.
 22. The paintball marker of claim 20, wherein said receiver is substantially bisected to form said receiver portions respectively included in said first and second castings.
 23. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said first and second castings are configured to accept fasteners which secure said castings to one another.
 24. The paintball marker of claim 23, wherein at least a portion of said mechanical trigger assembly is enclosed within said castings when said first and second castings are secured to one another.
 25. The paintball marker of claim 24, wherein at least a portion of said electronic trigger assembly is enclosed within said castings when said first and second castings are secured to one another.
 26. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said electronic trigger assembly comprises: (a) a battery; (b) electronic circuitry; (c) an actuator; and (d) a switch.
 27. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a surface, said surface being substantially flat to support said batter.
 28. The paintball marker of claim 27, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a removable portion, wherein said battery is accessible from the exterior of said casting when said removable portion is removed.
 29. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said electronic circuitry.
 30. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a plurality of pegs; (a) wherein said switch comprises a plurality of openings disposed therethrough; and (b) wherein, each opening is formed to receive one of said pegs.
 31. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a knock-out formed to receive at least a portion of said actuator.
 32. The paintball marker of claim 26, wherein said electronic trigger assembly further comprises a capacitor.
 33. The paintball marker of claim 32, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said capacitor.
 34. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said mechanical trigger assembly comprises a trigger assist apparatus.
 35. The paintball marker of claim 34, wherein at least one of said castings comprises a recess formed to receive said trigger assist apparatus.
 36. The paintball marker of claim 35, wherein said trigger assist apparatus is pneumatically powered.
 37. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said castings are formed of aluminum.
 38. The paintball marker of claim 19, wherein said castings are formed of zinc. 